Chamber centennial kickoff creates vision for future
January 10th, 2010
The Durant Area Chamber of Commerce kicked off what will be a year-long centennial celebration on Saturday.
The chamber of commerce was formed on May 9, 1910. Several spoke at the opening event for the centennial Saturday morning at the chamber office. The slogan is “Every diamond starts as a lump of coal.”
“This is an exciting time for Durant, Oklahoma,” said Durant City Manager Jim Dunegan.
Dunegan, who joined the chamber 27 years ago, said the chamber is a leader in the community.
“In a lot of cases, it’s the first stop when people come to town for the first time,” he said.
Mayor Jerry Tomlinson spoke about the significance of reaching 100 years and the wonderful experience of the city and chamber working together.
“Since I have been serving on the city council, we’ve recognized three to four businesses that have been here 100 years,” Tomlinson said. “What an achievement. In saying that, it speaks very well for the history of the chamber.”
State Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, who is a former executive director of the chamber, said the chamber gave him a tremendous opportunity about 11 years ago to come back home. He said the chamber is a model that other communities can look to and aspire to, and that it helps build the community that citizens dream of.
“This chamber — to reach a milestone of 100 years — is really amazing,” Gumm said.
Chamber Executive Director Janet Reed spoke last week about the significance of the centennial.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for each and every member of our chamber of commerce,” she said. “We are very excited about the event for the upcoming year. From this year we hope to relive the past experience through oral histories of the past 100 years that have made the Durant Area Chamber a shining diamond for its community.”
The centennial will also be the kick-off year for a new visioning committee to set future goals and objectives for the chamber. Reed said a retreat is being considered, similar to one held in 1973 at Lake Eufaula when board members created a vision for the chamber.
The chamber is seeking sponsors to help fund the centennial activities. The only sources of funding for the chamber are membership dues and fundraisers.
A time capsule will be buried that will be opened in either 50 or 100 years. The annual chamber banquet will be held May 14 at the Choctaw Resort, a date close to the chamber’s May 9 founding. The annual Christmas parade will be the grand finale.
Reed encourages the community to become involved in this once in a lifetime celebration.
“It’s your chamber of commerce,” Reed said. “If you don’t take the initiative to get involved in it, you’re missing out on an opportunity.”
Matt Swearengin, Managing Editor - The Durant Daily Democrat